CTA releases video of 2023 Yellow Line collision

CHICAGO (WGN / WGNRadio) — The Chicago Transit Authority on Friday released video from inside the Yellow Line train that collided with a piece of snow equipment injuring several people on November 16, 2023, and halted service for several weeks.

(Video excerpt below. Crash occurs at :57 seconds.)

The full 34 minute video, released to WGN Radio Friday following a Freedom of Information Act request, shows the moments prior to the crash, including seated passengers ranging from young children to elderly, and the train operator. It also shows rescue efforts and treatment by Chicago Fire officials after the crash.

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As the train rounds a curve and approaches a bridge a yellow piece of equipment can be seen on the tracks. The train operator appears to yell something just prior to impact.  

Passengers, including a small child are jostled from their seats, with some falling to the floor. At least two people can be seen bleeding, as passengers attempt to assist each other.

A front facing camera was redirected toward the ground following the crash.

The camera facing the train operator lost its signal.

Three people were critically injured in the crash, another 16 were injured. The track didn’t reopen until January of 2024.

The National Transportation Safety Board released a final report earlier this year saying the crash was the result of several factors, including an automated system’s sudden command to stop, the presence of ‘organic matter’ on the tracks, and a disabled breaking feature.

The train was said to be going 54 miles an hour when the Automated Train Control system suddenly issued a command for a full stop. The train operator told investigators the train then began to experience a ‘wheel slide’.

Since the crash the CTA says it has reduced the maximum authorized speed on the Yellow Line from 55 mph to 35 mph. It has cleaned the rails and implemented new maintenance procedures for monitoring organic materials on trains, and it has re-enabled the automatic track braking feature.

The CTA released a statement following the release of the NTSB report earlier this year: “As a result of the proactive and precautionary measures implemented by the Chicago Transit Authority since the Yellow Line collision in November 2023, Chicago’s rail system is safer than ever. Throughout the course of the NTSB investigation, which is now complete, the CTA was fully cooperative and assisted federal investigators, while also conducting its own testing of equipment and procedures.  While the investigation was ongoing, CTA pre-emptively implemented several new measures for added safety along the Yellow Line which have already addressed the contributing factors outlined in the final NTSB brief released this afternoon.”